User:Mr. Ibrahem/Ludwig's angina

Ludwig's angina
Ludwig's angina
Other names	Angina ludovici
	tracheostomy, surgery
Frequency	Rare

Ludwig's angina is a type of severe cellulitis involving the floor of the mouth.^[4] The condition is of rapid onset and worsens quickly.^[4] Symptoms generally include fever, a raised tongue, neck swelling, pain, and trouble swallowing.^[1] The floor of the mouth is often hard and there may be a decreased ability to open the mouth.^[2] As the condition worsens airway compromise may occur.^[1] Other complications may include mediastinitis and jugular vein thrombosis.^[5]

The majority of cases (70%) follow a

upper respiratory infection.^[1]^[2] Other risk factors include piercing inside the mouth, poor immune function, diabetes, and alcoholism.^[2] It specifically involves the submandibular, submental, and sublingual spaces and generally many types of bacteria are involved.^[1]^[2] Diagnosis is generally made based on symptoms, though may be supported by CT scan.^[1]

Prevention is by appropriate

epinephrine and surgery.^[2] The risk of death is about 8%; though is as high as 50% without treatment.^[2]

Ludwig's angina is rare.[3] Both sexes are affected equally frequently.^[7] It is named after a German physician, Wilhelm Frederick von Ludwig, who clearly described the condition in 1836.^[8] However; earlier descriptions date back to the time of Hippocrates around 400 BC.^[5] With the advent of antibiotics in 1940s, the rates of disease and risk of death was reduced.^[5]